Chalk Couture Snowman Wisdom Sign

I made the cutest Chalk Couture Snowman Wisdom sign with a classic black and white look. The white snowman cutout sits right on the magnetic chalkboard, so the finished project has wonderful dimension and I can remove it whenever I’m ready to decorate for a new season.

A reusable winter chalkboard sign

I love using chalkboards because I can clean them and create something completely different later. This magnetic chalkboard also has hangers on the back for displaying it horizontally or vertically, which gives me plenty of options for future projects.

Before I started, I checked the hangers and made sure I had the board turned in the right direction. That small step matters because I wanted the Snowman Wisdom design to fit vertically with the wood snowman resting below the words.

The snowman cutout is a little over a foot tall and about nine inches wide, so he’s large and in charge. The board was a great size for showing him off without making the words feel crowded.

Painting and preparing the snowman

I kept the colors simple and painted the wood snowman white with a big dauber. You can paint yours any color you like, but I wanted that crisp black and white chalkboard look. I used one coat because I’m still the one coat wonder, and the coverage worked for the finish I had in mind.

After painting, I sanded the surface lightly. A smooth surface helps the transfer sit flat and gives the screened design a cleaner result. I followed the sanding with a light amount of surface wax, using the applicator I keep just for wax.

You could also stain the wood cutout instead of painting it. That would give the snowman a rustic look while still allowing the black design to stand out.

Adding the Chalk Couture Snowman Wisdom words

I placed the Snowman Wisdom transfer on the black chalkboard and lined it up so there would be room for the snowman underneath. Since I planned to add the snowman design directly to the wood cutout, I only worked with the word section on the board.

I spread white paste over the open screen areas. Paste can begin drying in the screen while you work, especially on a larger design, so I worked steadily and lifted the transfer as soon as the section was finished.

This is always the fun part. The white lettering looked so crisp against the black surface, and the snowflakes added just enough detail around the sayings.

The Snowman Wisdom design includes some cute reminders such as enjoy the outdoors, stick together, be cool, accessorize, remember that we’re all a little bit flaky, be well rounded, and avoid meltdowns. I especially love the flaky line, and of course I can always appreciate advice about accessorizing.

Once I removed the transfer, I placed it back on its backer sheet. That gives it support until I can take it to the sink for cleaning.

Adding the black snowman design

Next, I lined up the snowman portion of the transfer on the painted wood cutout. I could see through the transfer, which made it easy to position the face, scarf, buttons, and other details where they belonged.

I pressed the transfer down and applied black paste over the open screen areas. I only needed to cover the parts of the design where the screen was open, so the process moved along quickly.

When I lifted the transfer, the snowman came to life. The black details showed up beautifully against the white paint, and using the separate wood shape gave the whole project that three dimensional look I wanted.

You can add more color if that fits your decorating style. The carrot nose and scarf would be easy places to bring in orange, red, or another favorite winter color. I stayed with black and white because it works so well with my decor and keeps the design classic.

Attaching the snowman with a magnet

I used one large extra strength magnet on the back of the wood cutout and positioned it close to the center. The magnetic chalkboard held the snowman in place, and one magnet was enough for my cutout. You can use more than one if your piece needs extra support.

This is my favorite part of the project because the snowman can come off the board. When winter is over, I can clean the chalkboard and use it again without giving up the wood piece. I can store the snowman for next year and create a fresh design for spring, summer, or fall.

The Snowman Wisdom transfer can also be used directly on a board if you prefer a flat sign. I chose the matching cutout because I love the layered effect, but both options use the same cheerful design in a way that fits your own decorating style.

Chalk Couture supplies I used

• Snowman Wisdom
• Surface Wax

You can shop my full Chalk Couture store here.

I am an independent Chalk Couture designer, so I earn a commission on these links. See my disclosure for more.